Biofunctionalization of titanium surfaces for osseintegration process improvement

This study aims to improve the osseointegration of titanium implants through surface immobilization of peptides that induce a beneficial biological response. This was carried out biofunctionalizating titanium surfaces by silanization and subsequent covalent binding of a peptide with a sequence that promotes cell adhesion. Objective: The development of a new technique of immobilization of oligopeptides on the surface of titanium by using 3-chloropropyltrietoxisilane (CPTES) as bonding agent between the surface of titanium and the peptide. Materials and methods: A physicochemical characterization of the surfaces through the techniques of XPS, ToF-SIMS and contact angle was performed. Also cell adhesion studies have been conducted to evaluate in vitro biological response. Results: Through the process of silanization the titanium surface is completely covered with CPTES, which allows the subsequent accession of oligopeptides. The cell adhesion results show a higher cell adhesion and cell extension on biofunctionalized samples. Conclusions: We developed a system of covalent binding of oligopeptides on titanium surfaces that can modify the biological response of the attached cells. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.